Eagerly waiting for the opening of the 2,000 billion VND bridge connecting Hai Phong

The Ben Rung Bridge construction project officially commenced on May 13, 2022, coinciding with the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Hai Phong . The project has a total investment of over 1,940 billion VND from the central government budget (1,100 billion VND), the Hai Phong city budget (over 835 billion VND), and the Quang Ninh provincial budget (5.5 billion VND).

To effectively utilize the project, Quang Ninh province allocated 355 billion VND from its budget to build access roads to the Ben Rung bridge. The access road has a total length of 2.2 km and is designed with 6 lanes.

On January 31, 2024, after more than 20 months of construction, the Ben Rung Bridge project, connecting Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong City with Quang Yen Town, Quang Ninh Province, was officially completed. It was initially planned to open to traffic on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the liberation of Hai Phong (May 13, 2024). However, the opening date was later postponed to June 2024.

A panoramic view of the Ben Rung bridge connecting Hai Phong and Quang Ninh before its opening ceremony.

The reason the Ben Rung Bridge Project has been delayed twice stems from difficulties in constructing the approach roads on the Quang Ninh province side, while the Hai Phong city side has basically completed the bridge structure and approach roads since the beginning of May 2024.

Thanks to the efforts of Quang Ninh province in supporting the contractor to overcome difficulties related to the shortage of leveling materials and unfavorable weather conditions (heavy and prolonged rain), the access road to Ben Rung Bridge was basically completed by early July 2024. The opening date was set for July 17, 2024.

On the morning of July 16th, speaking to Nguoi Dua Tin (The Informer) , Mr. Dinh Van Quyet, from Lap Le commune, Thuy Nguyen district, Hai Phong city, excitedly said: "The people of Thuy Nguyen district are very happy about the news of the opening of the Ben Rung bridge. This historic bridge helps shorten the distance from Thuy Nguyen district to Quang Yen town, creating favorable conditions for travel and trade between the two localities. My group of friends and I plan to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow (July 17th) and experience traveling on the new bridge."

On the Quảng Yên town side of Quảng Ninh province, Mr. Bùi Quang Tiến, from Sông Khoai commune, said that when people from his hometown of Quảng Yên need to go to Thủy Nguyên district, they have to detour via the Đá Bạc bridge or take the Rừng ferry across the Đá Bạc river. The route via the Đá Bạc bridge is quite far, and taking the ferry involves a long wait, which is very inconvenient.

"From tomorrow, with improved transportation, I will frequently visit relatives and friends in Thuy Nguyen district," Mr. Tien said.

The construction contractor completed some final minor items on the access road to the Ben Rung bridge on the Quang Ninh province side before the opening ceremony.

According to Nguoi Dua Tin , preparations for the bridge's opening ceremony are now basically complete. The Ben Rung Bridge will officially become the third bridge connecting Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, after the Da Bac Bridge and the Bach Dang Bridge, from July 17, 2024.

After the Ben Rung Bridge is put into operation, the nearly 50-year-old Ben Rung ferry will also end its mission of connecting the two localities on the banks of the Da Bach River: Thuy Nguyen district, Hai Phong city and Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province.

Here are some photos from the Ben Rung Bridge Project before the opening ceremony:

The Ben Rung Bridge is the third bridge connecting Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, after the Da Bac Bridge and the Bach Dang Bridge. Currently, the fourth bridge connecting the two localities, the Lai Xuan Bridge, is under construction.

The access road to Ben Rung Bridge on the Quang Ninh province side has been completed in time for the opening ceremony on July 17, 2024.

The access road to Ben Rung Bridge connects to the intersection with Provincial Road 338 in Song Khoai commune, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province.

When the Ben Rung Bridge came into operation, the nearly 50-year-old Ben Rung ferry also ended its historic mission of connecting the two banks of the Da Bach River between Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong City and Quang Yen Town, Quang Ninh Province.

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/hao-huc-cho-thong-xe-cau-2000-ty-dong-noi-hai-phong-quang-ninh-204240716125921153.htm